The faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) backed by Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has urged former President Goodluck Jonathan to distance himself from it called a charade convention and preserve his credibility.
The Kabiru Turaki-led PDP faction had scheduled Saturday, May 30 for a convention in Abuja where Jonathan is expected to be affirmed as its presidential candidate for the 2027 election.
The event is billed to be held at A-Class Park and Event Centre in Abuja.
Earlier on Friday, a directive by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) instructed owners of hotels, event centres, and other public facilities in the nation’s capital to engage only with the leadership of political parties recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
However, in a statement signed by Jungudo Haruna, its national publicity secretary, the pro-Wike PDP described the proposed convention as illegitimate and urged Jonathan not to participate in what it called a “charade”.
“The attention of the Peoples Democratic Party has been drawn to misleading information and unfounded reports circulating in certain quarters regarding an alleged planned convention aimed at affirming former President Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan GCFR as the presidential candidate of the PDP,” the statement reads.
“The party wishes to categorically state that no such convention, meeting, or process has been scheduled, approved, or endorsed by the leadership or any recognised organ of the Peoples Democratic Party.
“We therefore urge all party faithful, supporters, stakeholders, and members of the general public to disregard such false information, as it is misleading, unauthorised, and intended to create confusion within the polity.”
Mohammed said the Wike-backed faction had already concluded its primaries and selected a consensus presidential candidate for the next election.
“It is important for the avoidance of doubt to state that the Peoples Democratic Party has successfully concluded all its primary elections, including those for governorship, State Houses of Assembly, National Assembly, and the presidential primaries in accordance with INEC guidelines, the provisions of the Electoral Act, and the Constitution of the party,” he said.
“In view of this development, we respectfully call on former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to publicly dissociate himself from this charade in order to protect the integrity of the democratic process and preserve the credibility he earned while serving the nation.”
The faction also called on security agencies to investigate the source of what it described as “false reports” about Jonathan’s purported PDP candidacy and take appropriate action against those responsible.
“The PDP will henceforth not fold its arms and allow the party to be dragged into disrepute through falsehood, misinformation, and unauthorised political activities aimed at undermining its integrity and democratic structures,” Mohammed added.
“The party remains totally committed to due process, internal democracy, and the rule of law in all its political activities and engagements and will continue to protect the sanctity of its constitutional processes and decisions.”
